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BBC NEWS | England | London | Honour for 1857 police sergeant

A hero policeman buried in a common grave more than 140 years ago will be honoured at a north London ceremony.

Sgt Robert Grant was awarded the Victoria Cross after saving a wounded soldier during the 1857 Indian mutiny.

He joined the Metropolitan Police but died at the age of 30 and was buried in a grave with nine others as his wife could not afford a full funeral.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair will unveil a headstone at Sgt Grant's resting place at Highgate Cemetery.

The ceremony follows a campaign by historians and cemetery staff to mark his life.

Sir Ian said: "It is clearly unusual that such an heroic and courageous individual should be laid to rest in a common grave."

He added: "It is only fitting that his resting place should now be recognised with a suitable headstone and ceremony to mark his many achievements."

Sgt Grant died of tuberculosis in 1867.

Robert Grant (soldier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)